Method and means for vacuumizing and gassing filled containers



Dec. 3, 1946. H, MAKER 2,412,167

METHOD AND MEANS FOR VACUUMIZING AND GASSING FILLED CONTAINERS FiledApril 1'7, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 r; m I v 2 a 29 3 L 3 J 17 .24 ea J6HLMnahen B: t BJM Dec. 3, 1946.

H. L. MINAKER 2,412,167

METHOD AND MEANS FOR VACUUMIZING AND GASSING FILLED CONTAINERS FiledApril 17, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 awuq/wtom JLLMinaRer.

- 7%, 65122;; Am a Dec. 3, 1946. WNAKER 2,412,167

METHOD AND MEANS FOR VACUUMIZING AND GASSING FILLED CONTAINERS FiledApril 17, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J(, L. Minafcer WMKAQILWFI.

Patented Dec. 3, 1946 METHOD AND. MEANS FOR VACUUIVIIZING AND GASSINGFILLED CONTAINERS Herbert L. Minaker, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor toContinental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork Application April 17, 1944, Serial No. 531,526

23 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in the method of vacuumizing andgassing containers filled with dehydrated foods or other products priorto scaling the containers. and to means for practicing said method.

It is common practice in treating canned dehydrated foods prior tosealing the cans, to place the filled can or container in a chamber andafter sealing the chamber to draw ofi the air until the desired vacuumhas been produced, then admitting an inert gas until the desiredrelieving of the vacuum in the can by introduction of the inert gasthereinto is attained.

In some instances a closure for the can or container is supported abovethe can during the vacuumizing and gassing periods and then placed onthe can prior to opening the chamber and sealing the can. With thismethod some success is obtainable When the material within the can iscoarse and heavy; but with light and finely comminuted material, theexpansion of the contained air, as the vacuum is being produced, causesmore or less violent agitation of the material and loss of considerableportions thereof mm the containers.

In another method the closure has been clinched to the can before it isplaced in the chamber. With this method the vacuumizing can besatisfactorily accomplished, but when the gas is admitted to thechamber, the can collapses as the gas cannot enter the can fast enoughdue to the vacuum holding the lid tightly on the can.

In other devices the closures are not placed within the chamber with thecans but are applied as the can is removed from. the chamber aftertreatment, but with this method there is the same loss of material fromexcessive agitation as mentioned in connection with the first describedmethod, and furthermore it is practically impossible to prevent air fromentering the cans before the closures are applied, and in suchquantities as to preclude proper preservation of the food.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of vacuumizingand gassing dehydrated products in the containers whereby even thelightest and most finely comminuted material will be completely retainedwithin the container during the vacuumizing period. the gas permitted tofreely enter the container preferably but not necessarily under pressureduring the gassing period to prevent collapsing or distortion of thecontainer, and the can closed against free admission of air prior toremoval of the container from the treating chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for vacuumizingand gassing filled containers comprising a treating chamber equippedwith means whereby the lid or closure of the container will bemanipulated within the chamber to prevent the escape of material fromthe container during the vacuumizing period, then partially opened tofreely admit the gas, and then closed to prevent free entry of air tothe container when the chamber is opened and the container is removed tothe double seamer for sealing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a treating chamber asmentioned equipped to accommodate a plurality of filled containers, andprovided with means for manipulating all of the closures simultaneously,in the manner above stated.

Other objects willappear hereinafter.

With these objects in view this invention comprises a method consistingin placing a filled container and its closure or lid within a treatingchamber, holding the.closure in position, creating a vacuum withinthechamber, partially opening the closure, admitting gas to the chamberat the desired pressure, replacing the closure and removing thecontainer from the chamber to transfer the same to the sealing device,such as a double seamer.

The invention further consists in a method as above stated in which theclosure is held in position during the yacuumizing period by applyingpressure. to diametrically opposite points on the edge of the closure,and thereafter releasing the pressure at one of the points ofapplication, whereby the pressure which is maintained at the oppositeportion of the closure will tilt the closure for admitting gas duringthe gassing period.

The invention further consists in a vacuumizing and gassing apparatuscomprising a treating chamber to receive a filled receptacle having aflanged neck, with the lid or closure for the same resting on the flangeof said neck, means for sealing said chamber, means for creating avacuum within said chamber, a valve for controlling the same, valvedmeans for injecting gas into said chamber, pressure members adapted toengage the closure at diametrically opposite sides of the edge thereof,means for actuating said pressure members from without the chamberwhereby the pressure may be applied to the lid by both pressure membersduring the vacuumizing period and then to retract one of said memberswhereby the pressure of the other memher will tilt the closure toslightly elevate the opposite edge, a bar in the chamber having abevelled nose to move beneath said elevated edge to further tilt theclosure, and means for actuating said bar to insert the same under theclosure for the gassing period and to thereafter retract the same andfor lowering the retracted pressure member sufficiently to assist inseating the closure and serve as a guide to keep the closure seated onthe flanged neck as the containers are pushed out of the chamber.

The invention further consists in providing the treating chamber with asingle port, preferably in the bottom thereof, and from which extends avalved pipe communicating with an air pump or other vacuum producingmeans, the port being also connected through a valved pipe with a gastank, so that by manipulating the valves, the vacuumizing and gassingmay be controlled as desired.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description. the appended claims, and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a. plan view of a vacuumizing and gassing device embodyingthe invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same taken on the line22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a similar view of the upper portion of thedevice upon anenlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the connections between thetreating tank and the gas tank and air pump.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail section of the upper end of a can withthe closure in the position in which it is placed when inserting the caninto the treating chamber and when being removed therefrom.

Figure 6 is a similar view with the pressure member in the position forholding the closure during the vacuum period.

Figure '1 is a similar view with the parts in the positions for holdingthe closures during the gassing period.

Referring to the drawin s. in indicates the treating chamber whichconsists of an elongated rectan ular box member, open at both ends. andformed of side walls II and I2. a bottom l3 and top wall It. The sides,top and bottom are pref erablv of integral construction. Each end isprovided with a closure l5 pivotally mounte at one of its lower cornersas indicated at to swing in a plane parallel with the end o the chamber.and adapted to rest upon a supporting bracket I1 when in open position.A knob or handle I8 is provided on each door for manipulating the same.Each end of the chamber is rovided with an annular gasket l9 which ispreferably mounted in a corresponding groove formed in the outer edgesof the chamber walls, to tightly seal the doors when closed andfastened. As the gasket and the groove for the same is of ordinaryconstruction the details thereof are not illustrated. To hold each doortightly closed against its gasket 09, a transverse presser bar isprovided having a boss 2i which engages.

a bOSs 22 formed centrally on the door. The bar 20 is pivoted at one end23 upon a pin 24 which is hinged between a pair of lugs 25 on a side ofthe chamber adjacent the end. The opposite end of the bar 20 is providedwith a handwheel 26 and screw 21 for tightening the door against thegaskets l9.

Although the invention is not limited to any particular size or capacityof the chamber, it is preferably constructed to accommodate three, fivepound square cans. These are inserted successiveiy into the chamber Hithrough one end thereof, and are removed through the other end as willbe more fully described hereinafter. To facilitate sliding the cansthrough the chamber, tracks or ways 28 are provided which extend fromend to end of the bottom of the chamber. The cans are maintained inproper position in the chamber for manipulation of the tops or closures,by guides 29 formed on the inner faces of the side walls as illustratedin Figure 2 of the drawings. These guides are spaced above the ways 28 asufficient distance to provide a space 30 to accommodate the bottomseams of the cans.

The chamber ID is provided with base flanges 3| which rest upon and aresecured to a table top or frame 32 supported upon legs 33. Supportedbeneath the top frame 32 is a gas tank 34 to contain the inert gas undersuitable pressure. This tank is supplied with gas through a feed pipe 35in which is located a pressure gauge 36 and safety valve 31. Leadingfrom the tank 34 to the bottom of the chamber 10 is a pipe 38 providedwith a valve 39 which is actuated by a hand lever 40. The pipe 38 isprovided with a T-connection 4| directly beneath the center of thebottom l3, to which it is connected by a nipple 42 tapped into avertical bore forming a port 43 therein. In order to prevent asuperposed can from interfering with a free and uniform distribution ofthe gas, the upper end of the bore is preferably enlarged as at 44, anda tapered groove 45 is extended longitudinally, a suitable distancetoward each end of the chamber.

Connected to the opposite arm of the T from that to which the pipe 38 isconnected, is a pipe 46 leading to an air pump 41 or other means forexhausting the air in the tank. A valve 48 is arranged in the pipe 46and provided with a lever 49 for manually operating the same. By havingthe air withdrawn from the bottom of the chamber, as shown, theagitation of the material during the vacuumizing period is greatlyreduced.

In operating the device one of the doors I5 is opened and the filledcans, with the lids resting on the flanged necks as illustrated inFigure 6, are pushed into the chamber In, after which the door is closedand sealed. The valve 48 is then opened causing the air in the chamberto be exhausted until it is lowered to the desired pressure, and thevalve is closed. Then the gas valve 39 is opened, admitting gas to thechamber until the desired pressure is attained. The valve 39 is thenclosed and both doors it are opened and the cans removed for immediatesealing, as by the usual double seamer.

When the cans are placed in the chamber, air under normal atmosphericpressure fills the interstices between the particles of material in thecans, so that as the air is exhausted, the air in said intersticesexpands. With coarse material in the can this expansion causes butlittle agitation of the material, but when the cans are filled withfinely comminuted or powdered products. this rapid expansion of the aircauses violent agitation of the contents and a resulting tendency toeject a portion of the material from the can. It is therefore desirableto firmly but yieldingly hold the lids in closed position on the cansduring the vacuumizing period, there being suiii- .acient. leakage ofair between the lid and, the neck flange during this period 'to 'permitvacuumizing,

usual type, .having the outwardly extending peripheral flange, 55terminating in the inturned flange 56 for interlocking with theoutwardly flared flange on the neck to seal thecan.

To hold the lids during the vacuumizing period as stated, means areprovided for engaging the lids at diametrically opposite points on theflanged edges with sufiicient pressure to maintain, them in closed butnot air sealed position. This comprises a presser bar 51 extendinglongitudinally of the chamberv above the points of application on oneside of the lids and of suflicient length to engage the several lids,and a plurality of plungers 58, one for each can, arranged in a rowparallel with the bar 51 to engage the edges of the lids atdiametrically opposite points from the bar 51.

The lungers 58 are each formed with a bevelled underface 59 slopingoutwardly and downwardly for a purpose hereinafter described; and withan upwardly extending stem 60 which projects through an air-tightpacking gland 6| in the top of the chamber. The stems also extendloosely through a horizontal, longitudinally disposed bar 62, and areprovided on their upper ends with adjusting nuts 83 and lock nutsInterposed between the bar 62 and a collar on each of the stems is aspring 65 for yieldingly holding the respective plungers on the edge ofthe can lid. The bar 62 is supported by a pair of levers 65 havingbifurcated ends 61 to receive the bar. The opposite ends 68 of thelevers 65 are mounted on a shaft 69 supported in brackets 19. The levers65 are so spaced as to engage the bar 62 approximately midway betweenadjacent plungers to equalize the pressure of the several plungers whenapplied to the can lids.

The plungers are actuated by a hand lever 1| comprising a pair of leverbars 12 pivotally mounted on a shaft 13 supported by brackets M, and areconnected at their outer ends by a handle bar 15. The lever bars 12 eachhave a short angularly disposed leg 16 which is connected by a drag link11 to the respective lever 66. When the hand lever H is in the positionillustrated in Figur 2. the plungers 58 are retracted. By moving thelever 1| to the position illustrated in fulllines in Figure 3. theplungers are lowered to engage the edges of the can lids, and throughthe medium of the spring 65 are held in firm but yielding engagementtherewith.

To the presser bar 51 are fixed a pair of vertical rods 18 which extendthrough packing glands 19 in the top of the chamber. and the upper endsof these rods are connected as at 80 to horizontal arms ill ofbell-crank levers 82. which levers are mounted on the shaft 69. Thedepending arms 83 of the levers 82 are each connected by a link 84 withside bars 85 of a hand lever as. The lever bars 35 are connected attheir upper ends by a handle bar 81 and are mounted at their lower endson brackets 88 on a side of the chamber. It is evident that by movingthe handle bar 81 outwardly the bar 51 will be lowered into position toengage the can lids as above stated, and that by moving the handle barinwardly said bar will be raised.

(ill

6 When said bar is raised from the lids while the plungers'fill arepressing on the opposite side of the lids, said lids will be tiltedupwardly as illustrated in Figure 8, which is the position of the lidswhile gassing.

The bevelled under face -59 of the plunger 58 will assist materially intilting the lid and holding the same in tilted position, but it is,preferabl to provide means for positively holding the lids after theyhave been tilted, so that the gas entering the chamber will not forciblyclose the lids, and crush or disturb the cans before the vacuum thereincan be overcome. To this end a cover support bar 39 is provided which isof sufficient length to simultaneously engage under all of the tiltedlids in the chamber. Said bar 89 is formed with a bevelled forward edgeor nose 90, and is supported upon a pair of rods 9| which are fixedthereto and extend laterally through packing glands 82 in the side ofthe chamber. The rods 9| are connected to the lever bars 86 so that asthe lever is actuated to raise the bar 51, with consequent tipping 0fthe lids, the bar 89 will be moved inwardly with its bevelled edge ornose wedging in between the lid and the neck of the can, and the barwill then support the lids during the gassing period, and until it iswithdrawn as the bar 51 is lowered to assist in reseating the lids.

The bar 51 has three distinct positions during the processing. First,the initial position while the cans are being placed within the chamber,which is close abovethe lids to prevent them from becoming displaced,but not pressing thereon. This is with the lever in the so-called newtral position. Second, in the lowermost position to firmly presson thelids to hold them during the vacuumizina period. Third, when raised tothe highest position where it remains during the gassing period. Inorder that the operator may know when the bar is in the correct positionat each stage, means are provided for this pur ose. Although variousmeans may be employed. a simple form as shown in the drawing's is theprovision of a detent on the lever 85 adapted to en a e a. notched bar94 fixed to a wall of the chamber.

The operation of the device is as follows: Before placing the containersin the chamber 10, the levers 1| and 85 are positioned as illustrated inFigure 2, that is, with the pluncers 5B raised and the presser bar 51lowered to just clear the lids of'the cans. The cans, packed to thedesired capacity, and with the lids resting on the flange of the collar53, as shown in Figure 6, are then pushed successively into the chamberby sliding them along the track-ways 28. As before stated, the presserbar 51 is so positioned that the cans with their lids will slide freelybeneath it, at the same time the bar will prevent accidentaldisplacement oi the lids. After the cans are in place, the door isclosed and clamped in position to render the chamber air tight. Thelever 1| is then raised, lowering the plungers 58 into engagement withthe lids. This is a yielding pressure through the medium of the spring65, and tipping of the lids is prevented due to the position of the bar51 in close proximity to the lids. The lever 85 is then moved outwardlyforcing the bar 51 firmly onto the lids. Although the bar and theplungers 58 hold the lids firmly in position they do not hold the lid soas to seal the same, but will permit the air to escape as soon as thepressure outside of the can is lowered belo-w'that of the air-con.

tamed within the can. This is due partly to the normal unevennesses inthe contact lines of the lid on the neck of the can. Also, as thepressure is applied only at diametrically opposite points on the largediameter rim of the lid, a slight fiexure is permitted at the otherportions of the rim, due to the unbalanced pressure and the flexibilityof the relatively large closure. In other words, the lids are held inclosed but not air sealed position, because, due to the normalunevenness of the contact lines of the lid and the can neck and theflexibility of the closure as aforesaid, sufficient crevices between thelid and the can neck inherently exist and permit the air to escape.

The valve 48 is then opened to vacuumize the chamber, the air in thecans escapin between the lids and the can neck flanges. However,irrespective of any agitation of the material within the cans, thecontents are retained therein. After the air has been exhausted to thedesired amount as indicated by a vacuum gauge 95, the valve 48 isclosed, and the lever 85 moved inwardly, raising the bar 51. As the bar51 rises the lids are tilted upwardly under the bar due to the pressureof the bevelled faces 59 of the plungers 58. As the lids rise with thebar 51, the bar 89 is simultaneously moved inwardly, the bevelled nose9!! thereof pushing under the lids to further raise them and hold themin raised position during the gassing period.

The valve 39 is next opened, admitting the inert gas, preferably but notnecessarily under pressure. When the gas is admitted under pressure itsintroduction is continued until the pressure within the chamber hasrisen to the desired degree as indicated by a pressure gauge 98, and thevalve is then closed. The supporting bar, by keeping the top of the cansopen during the gassing, prevents uneven pressure inside and outside thecans thereby avoiding crushing or distortion of the cans by the pressureof the gas.

It also permits the inert gas to freely enter and relieve the evacuatedcondition in the cans and dilute any residual air left after thevacuumizing. All the interstices between the particles of the contentsof the cans, and the space above the same is now completely filled withthe gas. The levers II and 85 are now returned to neutral position,raising the plungers 58, retracting the bar 89 to drop the lids intoclosed position, and. lowering the bar 51 to assist in seating the lidsand to serve as a guide to prevent displacement of the lids in removingthe cans from the device.

Both doors l are opened and the cans removed and passed to a doubleseamer for tightly sealing the same. As the gas which now fills the cansis at full atmospheric pressure, or greater, and there being no greaterpressure of air at the minute crevices between the lid and the neck ofthe can than the pressure within, there is no tendency for the air toforce its way into the can, particularly in the short space of timerequired to move the cans from the chamber to the double seamer forsealing the lids in place. In removing the cans, they should be pushedat the bottom so as not to disturb the can or displace the lids.

While I prefer in most instances to raise the as pressure slightly aboveatmospheric pressure, this is not necessary as the high vacuum in thecans will cause the gas to freely enter and relieve or replace thepreviously existing evacuated condition in the cans and sumcientlydilute any residual air that may remain after vacuumizing. It is also tobe understood that while I have described the invention as used with aheavier-than-air. gas, a lighter-than-air gas may be employed, dependingupon the nature of the material in the cans, and that such lighter gasmay be used at any desired pressure.

While one form of the invention has been shown for purposes ofillustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

I. A method of treating canned material prior to sealing the cancomprising, subjecting the filled can to a vacuum while the lid is heldin a closed but not air sealed position, then introducing an inert gasinto the can with the lid thereon partly raised, and then returning thelid to said closed position.

2. A method of treating canned material prior to sealing the cancomprising, subjecting the filled can to a vacuum while the lid isyieldingly held in a closed but not air sealed position, then subjectingthe can to an inert gas under pressure with the -lid partly raised, andthen returning the lid to said closed position.

3. A method of treating canned material prior to sealing the cancomprising, subjecting the filled can to a vacuum while the lid is heldin a closed but not air sealed position, then subjecting the can to aninert heavier than air gas under pressure with the lid partly raised,and then returning the lid to said closed position.

4. A method of treating canned material prior to sealing the cancomprising, subjecting the filled can to a Vacuum while the lid isyieldingly held in a closed but not air sealed position, then subjectingthe can to an inert heavier than air gas under pressure with the lidpartly raised, and then returning the lid to said closed position.

5. A method of treating canned material prior to sealing the cancomprising, subjecting the filled can to a vacuum while the 11d of thecan is held in a closed but not air sealed position, and thereafterrelieving the evacuated condition in the can with an inert gas andthereby diluting any residual air in said can.

6. A method of treating canned material prior to sealing the cancomprising, subjecting the filled can to a vacuum while the lid of thecan is held in a closed but not air sealed position, partially liftingthe lid, thereafter relieving the evacuated condition in the can with aninert gas while said lid is lifted and thereby diluting any residual airin said can, and then returning the lid to said closed position.

7. A method of treating canned material prior to scaling the cancomprising, placing the can with its lid in closed position thereon, ina chamber, sealing the chamber, vacuumizing the chamber while holdingthe lid in closed position, par tially lifting the lid and admitting aninert gas to the vacuumized chamber while the lid is lifted, to relievethe evacuated condition therein and dilute any residual air in the can,and then returning the lid to said closed position while the chamber isstill sealed.

8. The method of treating canned material prior to sealing the can,consisting in placing the container with its lid resting in position toclose the container, within a chamber, tightly sealing said chamber,exerting pressure on the lid to hold the same in a closed but not airsealed p0- s t ng acuumizm said h ee isi' oot des re de ree re easin thereseason id a d. a lly pen a hcsame. ad rltt ea e inert gas to saidchamber andthen rerli lacing thejlid" nsa d q e ms iioi w l cham e t lmetrically po ite. oints; n. e. edge. i I he;

lid to hold the same in a closed but notairsealed s ion w m zi said h nll he s: sired degree, e sina hen sss r a hs idet. one of said pointsand partially opening the me, admitting n na t es c aid s am lesndies, lci t e-l n a di p si i n while the chamber is stillsealegl,

9 me of rea eecaan d mat r ln ie to a n h an wmnri sa ectin he filledcans o a acuwnwlii e is ri ldiliely. held in a s d but t al ealed qs m.h y. replacing, the vacuum the can with aninert a hile the d s it y, rad. a d hen ein the d to aid o ed s t n hi e he chamber is still sealed.

11. In a device of the class described, a 097437 h d pted to. receive,a. receptacle ntain n a st e to e eated wi hacl sure tenths, receptacleresting, in positi n thereon, means for vacuumizing sa d cham e meansor. nt odu ing an inert gas into said; chamber, means for controllingsaid vfilql l mizing means, means for controlling said gas introducingmeans, means engageable withsaid closure for applying pres: sure theretoto hold the same, firmly in a closed but not air sealed position duringthe vacuumizing period, means engageable with said clo sure forpartially raising the same after the vacuumizing period, and meansengageable with said closure for holding the same in partially raisedposition during the gassing period and disengageable from saidclosure-for restoring the same to said closed position.

12. In a device ofthe class described; a chamber adapted to receive acancontaining a substance to be treated with the lid for said can restingin place thereon, a plungeradapted to be moved into engagement with saidlid and,

normally tending to tilt the lid while in engage,- ment therewith, avertically reoiprocable presser bar adapted when in lowermost positionto assist said plunger in holding the lid in a closed but not air sealedposition on the can and when raised to permit the plunger to tilt thelid, and a laterally reciprocable member adapted to be inserted beneaththe uplifted edge of the tilted lid as the presser bar is raised, andretracted as the presser bar is lowered.

13. In a device of the class described a chamber adapted to receive acan containing a substance to be treated with the lid for said canresting in place thereon, a plunger having a bevelled face adapted to bemoved into engagement with said lid and normally tending to tilt the lidwhile in engagement therewith, a vertically reciprocablc presscr baradapted when in lowermost position to assist said plunger in holding thelid in a closed but not air sealed position on the can and when raisedto permit the plunger to tilt the lid and a laterally i'eciprocablememher adapted to be inserted beneath the uplifted edge of the tiltedlid as the presser bar is raised. and retracted as th presser bar islowered.

14, In a device for valc'uumizing and gassing filled containers prior toscaling, comprising a chamberfadapt d tblfeceivea' plurality of filledcansjin ap ra ser -each can having its lid rest i "15 tr es thereon,a'siinilar number of plfgfgjei's to be moved simultaneossly intoengagemeiit' 'with said lids and each normally to, tiltthelidsirespectiv ely while in engage me itwher'with, a verticallyreciprocable pressei-fbar e itending'longitudinally of the chambe ffaiidV n sthesia lowermost position to eng'ageach 6flsaid lids and assist theplungers in'l'ioldin'g the lids in a closed but not air sealed positionon the cans, and when raised to permit the several plungers to tilt therespective'dids, and alatei all'v reciproca'ble supporting bar adapted,to ""fd'er seen of said lids as the edge is u'pli ftd 'up'on raising thepresser bar, and to befretracteda's the pressenis' lowered,

15. In a iievic for vacuumizing and'gassing filledcontainers 'prior toscaling, comprising a chamber aliaptedto receive a plurality offilledcans zi'alinear'series, each can havingits lid restinglixi Placethereon, a similar number of plungrs' adapted to be moved simultaneouslyinto engagement with said lids and each normally tending, to, on thelids respectively while in engagement therewith, a verticallyreciprocable presseg har eigtending longitudinally of the chamher and;adapted; when in lowermost position to engage each of said lidsandiassist the plungers in holding the lids in a closed but not airsealed position on the cans, and when raised to permit the severallplungers to tilt the respective lids, a laterally reciprocable,supporting bar adapted to engage under each of said lids as the edge isuplifted upon; raising the presser bar, and to be retracted asthepresser bar is lowered, and a single manually operable member forsimultaneously actuating said presser bar and said supporting bar.

16. In a device of the class described a chamber including side walls a,top and a bottom, and adapted to receive a. ipluralityof cans in alignment, said, cans each having a lid resting in closing position,slideways forsupporting the cans above the bottom, a port, in saidbottom, vacuumizing means, a sourceof inert gas supply, pipes connectingsaid vacuur'nizing means and said sourc ofjEa-s supply to said chamberthrough said port, a valve in each of said pipes, means for holding the,lids in closed but not air sealed positionionlthe cans when the valveto the vacuumizingj means isopen, means for tilting the lids after saidvalve 'is closed, and means for maintaining said lids in tilted positionwhen the valve in the gas supply pipe is open.

17. In a device of the class described a chamher having side walls, atop and a bottom, and open at the end, means for closing and sealingsaid ends, track-Ways extending longitudinally through said chamber toreceive a plurality of filled cans and hold the same elevated above thefloor, each of said cans being provided with 7 a lid resting loosely inclosing position, vacuumizing and gassing means communicating with saidchamber through said floor, a plurality of plungers adapted toindividually engage said lids respectively and having stems extendingthrough said top, a bar above said top through which said stems looselyextend, a stop on each of the stems above said her, a collar on eachstem, a spring interposed between said bar and each of said collars, apair of supporting levers pivotally mounted above said chamber andhaving bifur- 11* cated ends in which said bar is held, a hand lever,and draglinks between said hand lever and said supporting levers wherebysaid hand lever may be actuated to lower-said plungers into yieldingengagement with said can lids, a vertically reciprocable presser barextending longitudinally of the chamber, and means for actuat'ing saidbar to lower the same into engagement with the lids to assist saidplungers in holding the lids 'in closed'bfut not air sealed positionduring the vacuumlzing periodand to raise said bar to permit theplunger-s to tilt the lids for the gassing period.

18. in a device of the class described, a chamber adapted to receive acan containing a substance to be treated with the flanged lid of the canresting in place thereon, a member having a bevelled face adapted to bemoved into engagement with a portion of the peripheral flange of saidlid and exert yielding pressure thereon, and a vertically reciprocablepresser member adapted to engage said flange at a diametrically oppositeportion than that engaged by the first said member, said bevelled facebeing bevelled upwardly towardsaid presser member, and means operable attimes for holding the bevelled face member and the presser memberagainst the lid for holding it in place on the can and at other timesfor holding the bevelled face member against the lid and lifting thepresser member away to cause the lid to be tilted upwardly by thebevelled face member.

19. In a device for vacuumizing and gassing filled cans with the coversresting on said cans, a chamber into which the cans are to be placed,means for sealing said chamber, means for tilting the can lids and alaterally movable member within said chamber having a bevelled nose towedge beneath the lids to raise and support one side thereof, and meansactuated from without said chamber for operating said laterally movablemember.

20. In a device of the class described a chamber adapted to receive acan containing a substance to be treated with the lid for said canresting in place thereon, a plunger adapted to be moved into engagement;with said lid and normally tending to tilt the lid while in engagementtherewith, a vertically reciprocable presser bar adapted when in alowered position to assist said plunger in holding the lid in a closedbut not air sealed position on the can and when raised to permit theplunger to tilt the lid, and means for raising and lowering the plungerand bar, said bar being so disposed in the chamber and 01 such length asto 12 be eifdtlve is a guide to prevent displacement of the narrow-a canduring movement of said can along said chamber incidental to withdrawalthereof from the chamber.

21. In a device for vacuumizing and gassing cans of commodities with thelids resting thereon, a chamber, means for air sealing said chamber;ways in said chamber upon which the cans are slid into and out of saidchamber, a bar in said chamber parallel with said ways and meansoperable from without the sealed chamber for actuating said bar to holdthe lids in place during the vacuumizing period and also to position thesaid bar to prevent displacement of the lids while moving the cans fromthe chamber afte treatment.

22. In a device for vacuumizing and gassing cans of commodities with thelids resting in place thereon, a chamber open at both ends and adaptedto hold a plurality of cans, means for air sealing both ends of saidchamber, ways in said chamber upon which the cans are slid into and outof said chamber, a bar supported in the upper portion of said chamberabove the can lids, and parallel with said ways, and means operable fromwithout the sealed chamber for actuating said bar to firmly engage saidlids during the vacuumizing period and also to position said bar toprevent displacement of the lids while moving the cans into and out ofthe chamber.

23. In a device for vacuumizing and gassing cans of commodities with thelids resting thereon, an elongated chamber adapted to hold a pluralityof cans, said chamber being open at both ends, means for air sealingsaid open ends, ways extending longitudinally through said chamber uponwhich the cans are slid into and out of said chamber, a longitudinallydisposed bar supported in the upper portion of said chamber and parallelwith said clamping and tilting means for exerting yielding pressure onthe edges of the lids at one side thereof during the vacuumizing andgassing periods, means operable from without said chamber for raisingand lowering said clamping and tilting means, and means also operablefrom without said sealed chamber for actuating said bar to firmly engagethe edges of the lids at points diametrically opposite from the clampingand tilting means during the vacuumlzing period, to raise the bar at thebeginning of the gassing period and to lower the bar into position priorto unseallng the chamber, to prevent displacement of the lid when thecans are being removed from the device,

HERBERT L. MINAKER.

